Piano · Level 2 · First steps
The fifties progression in B major on Piano
Don’t just read about The fifties progression in B major. Play it.
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I–vi–IV–V is the doo-wop progression behind countless ballads. It mixes major and minor chords and loops smoothly back to the start.
B
Notes: B · D♯ · F♯
G♯m
Notes: G♯ · B · D♯
E
Notes: E · G♯ · B
F♯
Notes: F♯ · A♯ · C♯
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: B, G♯m, E and F♯. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Keep the right hand curved over the keys and move it as one unit between chords.
- Set the tempo to 48 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Keep the strum or pulse identical for major and minor chords so only the harmony changes.
- Play the left-hand bass note on beat one and the right-hand chord on every beat.
- Raise the tempo to 64 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for the lift from vi to IV and the pull from V back to I.
Listen for
Aim for the lift from vi to IV and the pull from V back to I. A common mistake is rushing the V chord to get back to the beginning.
Why it works
vi is the relative minor of I and shares two of its three notes, so the change sounds smooth.
B major has 5 sharps; its relative minor key is G♯ minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–vi–IV–V in B major?
In B major the progression is B | G♯m | E | F♯.
What is the key signature of B major?
B major has 5 sharps. Its relative minor is G♯ minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 2 lesson (first steps). If it feels too hard, start with “Minor chords in a major key”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
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